Published on: October 1, 2024
Snippets : 1 OCTBER 2024
Snippets : 1 OCTBER 2024
- The Karnataka Administrative Reforms Commission (KARC) has formed a sub-committee, led by Additional Chief Secretary and Development Commissioner Uma Mahadevan, to review the eligibility criteria for Below Poverty Line ration cards and government welfare schemes, as announced by KARC Chairperson R V Deshpande.
- A multi-institutional study documented 102 amphibian species in Karnataka, with 31 species endemic to the state. Conducted by Mount Carmel College (MCC), Jain University, Yuvaraja’s College, and the Zoological Survey of India, the study was published in the Journal Records of the Zoological Survey of India and offers an updated checklist of amphibians. The highest diversity was recorded in the Hilly Zone (89 species), followed by the Southern Transition Zone (24 species) and the Coastal Zone (18 species). Habitat fragmentation poses significant threats to amphibians, and the study emphasizes the need for conserving pond and wetland ecosystems. According to the IUCN Red List, four species are critically endangered, 14 are endangered, and two new species, Sphaerotheca varshaabhu and Sphaerotheca Bengaluru, were discovered. The findings provide a foundation for future research and conservation strategies.
- India’s stranglehold on the SAFF U17 championship remained intact as its retained the title, defeating Bangladesh 2-0 in the final of the 2024 edition at the Changlimithang Stadium in Thimphu
- Researchers have recently discovered two new species namely Garra zubzaensis and Psilorhynchus kosygini, of torrent minnows in the pristine rivers of Nagaland.
- The Idagunji Mahaganapati Yakshagana Mela troupe in Honnavar taluk, Uttara Kannada district, has been recognized by UNESCO for its efforts in preserving and promoting cultural heritage. Established in 1934 by Keremane Shivarama Hegde, a master of the Badagathittu style of Yakshagana, the troupe is now managed by his son, Shivananda Hegde. It was one of 58 organizations worldwide honored during the UNESCO Convention for Safeguarding Intangible Cultural Heritage. This recognition is anticipated to aid in reviving and popularizing Yakshagana, an art form that integrates dance, music, dialogue, and elaborate costumes. The UNESCO Convention, adopted on October 17, 2003, and effective since 2006, aims to protect intangible cultural heritage, promote respect for community heritage, and foster international cooperation for its preservation. Intangible cultural heritage encompasses traditions, practices, rituals, and knowledge transmitted through generations, providing communities with a sense of identity and continuity.
- India has become the world’s third-largest producer and consumer of ethanol, with sugarcane cultivation increasing by approximately 18% and production rising by 40% over the last decade. The introduction of Minimum Support Price (MSP) has resolved farmers’ dues, transforming their roles from “Anna Dattas” (food providers) to “Urja Dattas” (energy providers). Ethanol, primarily derived from sugarcane processing, is a clear, colorless liquid recognized as a renewable fuel. In India, it is mainly produced from sugarcane molasses through fermentation, and it is blended with petrol to reduce fossil fuel usage. The Government of India has authorized the procurement of first-generation ethanol (1G) and is also exploring second-generation sources, such as rice straw, wheat straw, and woody biomass. Ethanol serves vital industrial functions as a solvent and in synthesizing organic chemicals, and it is added to automotive gasoline to enhance performance and minimize fossil fuel consumption.
- Mithun Chakraborty, a national award-winning actor celebrated for his roles in films like Mrigayaa, Surakshaa, and Disco Dancer, has been selected for the prestigious Dadasaheb Phalke Award in recognition of his “artistic prowess” and “enduring legacy” as an actor-politician who positively impacted many lives. A three-member jury comprising Asha Parekh, Khushboo Sundar, and Vipul Shah made the selection, with the award presentation scheduled for the 70th National Film Awards on October 8. Born Gourang Chakraborty in Kolkata, Mithun made his acting debut in Mrigayaa (1976), earning his first National Award for Best Actor, followed by two more for Tahader Katha (1992) and Swami Vivekananda (1998). His iconic role in Disco Dancer (1982) established him as a dancing sensation, and he won the Filmfare Award for Best Supporting Actor for his performance in Agnipath (1990). Mithun served as a Rajya Sabha MP with the Trinamool Congress before joining the BJP in 2021 ahead of the West Bengal Assembly elections. The Dadasaheb Phalke Award, named after the pioneering filmmaker Dhundiraj Govind Phalke, was instituted in 1969 and includes a ‘Swarna Kamal’ (Golden Lotus), a cash prize of INR 10 lakh, a certificate, a silk roll, and a shawl. The first recipient was Devika Rani Roerich in 1969. Dhundiraj Govind Phalke, born in 1870 in Maharashtra, is regarded as the “Father of Indian Cinema,” having produced India’s first feature film, Raja Harishchandra, in 1913, along with 95 other films and 26 short films over 19 years.
